Just Dance, Dance, Dancing to the Top

This year, seniors Michelle Flanagan, Courtney VanHorn, Ayasha Keckler, Mary Davidson, Natalie Risser, Joel Schumaker, and Matthew Wilkins have led the high school show choir to several successful competitions. The Association, Van Buren’s award-winning show choir, has traveled to Ada Music Feast and Twinsburg North Coast Invitational. The group has also participated in Findlay Fall Fest, a non-competitive show choir invitational.

The Association’s show kicks off with “Gone, Gone, Gone,” followed by “Could You Believe?” (which features a solo from senior Joel Schumaker), and their ballad, “Hallelujah” (which features solos from senior Mary Davidson and sophomore Tom Rowles). The boys’ number this year is “Devil with the Blue Dress.” (Check out a performance of the boys’ number here). “I Love Rock n’ Roll” is performed by the girls. “Just Dance, Dance, Dance” closes their show.

The Association is known for their history of winning a multitude of class C awards, such as best instrumental combo, best vocals, best stage crew, best male and female soloists, and best show concept.

On Nov. 9, 2013, The Association took a short trip to Ada, Ohio to participate in the Ada Music Feast. The show choir started off their season with a bang when they won best vocals, best show concept, and best choreography in the class C division of the competition. Senior Joel Schumacker won best performer out of the group at Ada Music Feast. The Association came in seventh place, beating out four class C schools, one class B school, and one class A school.

On Jan. 28, the show choir was set to go to a competition in Marysville, Ohio. Due to extreme weather conditions, the show choir had to withdraw themselves from the competition.

On Feb. 22, The Association traveled three hours to Twinsburg, Ohio to participate in the Twinsburg North Coast Invitational. Sophomore Olivia Sattler won best individual performer out of the group.

“I was surprised that I won the award. I’m the first sophomore to ever get it. I thought a senior should get it. I guess I just gave it my all, and it was my best performance all year,” Sattler stated. This competition was also the first time the group performed the guys’ and girls’ numbers.

This week, the show choir is preparing for the Fairfield Crystal Classic which will take place on Saturday, March 1. The competition is the farthest away for the group, as they will be traveling for a whopping three and a half hours. The group will leave at 8 a.m. and are set

to perform at 4:15 p.m. in the small group category of the competition among 18 other schools.

“I think we have a good opportunity, but it’s all going to depend on our practice on Thursday. If we have a good practice and we’re focused, then we have a chance,” said junior singer-dancer Aaron Scasny. After the competition, the group will stay overnight in Fairfield.

Stay tuned for more on The Association’s upcoming competition, as well as information about their annual Cabaret.